Kemmel Château
Location
Kemmel Château Military Cemetery is located 8 Km south of Ieper on a road leading from the Kemmelseweg (N331), connecting Ieper to Kemmel. From Ieper town centre the Kemmelseweg is reached via the Rijselsestraat, through the Lille Gate (Rijselpoort) and straight on towards Armentières (N336). 900 metres after the crossroads is the right hand turning onto the Kemmelseweg (Immediately before the railway level crossing).
On reaching the village of Kemmel the first right hand turning leads onto the Reningelststraat. 600 metres along the Reningelststraat lies the right hand turning onto Nieuwstraat. 500 metres along the Nieuwstraat on the right hand side of the road lies the cemetery.
The intital turn into Kemmel is now a mini-roundabout. The CWGC panel for the cemetery is only visible as you cross the junction. So - turn right at the roundabout, then be prepared to turn right immediately after the next junction to the left (which takes you up the Kemmelberg and to the French Monument). You will see the signpost for the Police Station (Politie) pointing to the right and this is the road you want. As you turn in you will now see the CWGC Panel.
Near the roundabout, with a small carpark, is the local tourist office: Te Bergen with plenty of information and maps about walking, staying and visiting the area.
Historical Information
Kemmel Château was north-east of Kemmel village and the cemetery was established on the north side of the château grounds in December 1914.
It continued to be used by divisions fighting on the southern sectors of the Belgian front until March 1918, when after fierce fighting involving both Commonwealth and French forces, the village and cemetery fell into German hands in late April.
The cemetery was retaken later in the year, but in the interval it was badly shelled and the old château destroyed.
There are now 1 135 Commonwealth burials of the First World War in the cemetery and 21 from the Second World War (which all date from the Allied withdrawal ahead of the German advance of May 1940).
The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.
Lt Colonel Guy du Maurier DSO
3rd Bn Royal Fusiliers
Died on 9th March 1915 aged 49
Son of George and Emma du Maurier
husband of Gwendolen du Maurier, of 111 Church St, Chelsea, London
Served in the Burmese and South African Campaigns. Born in London.
Viva adhuc
Et desiderio
Fulcrior
Grave: L4
Lt Colonel du Maurier was the elder of two sons of the famous author and cartoonist George du Maurier (Creator of the characters Trilby and Svengali and inspiration behind Gaston Leroux's: Phantom of the Opera).
His sister Sylvia Llewelyn Davies became friendly with the writer J M Barrie when he started writing his stories of Peter Pan based on her son George and his brothers.
His brother, the actor: Sir Gerald du Maurier would interpret the role of Captain Hook in the staged production of Peter Pan.
George was killed a few days after hearing from Barrie of his uncle's demise and is buried in Voormezele Enclosure No 3.
As a major, du Maurier had written a play called An Englishman's Home which saw some success in 1909 after Barrie had assisted with its production.
Gerald's daughter: Daphne du Maurier would also become a famous authoress (Hitchcock's The Birds is based on one of her short stories).
Voormezele Enclosure No 3
Captain Capel O'Brien Butler MC
6th Bn Royal Irish Regiment
Died on 7 June 1917 aged 27
Son of Maj Pierce O'Brien Butler (late 60th Foot)
Husband of Phyllis O'Brien Butler (nee Jameson)
Grave: X 74
His brother Paget also fell as did his brother in law Hugh O'Brien. The eldest brother: Pierce died during the Boer War.
The O'Brien Butler Brothers
Private Count Ove Krag-Juel-Vind-Frijs 73446
28th Bn CEF
Saskatchewan Regiment
Died on 15th November 1915 aged 25
Son of Jens Christian Krag-Juel-Vind-Frijs, Count of Juellinge, Lolland, Denmark, and Agnes Krag-Juel-Vind-Frijs (nee Ahlefeldt-Laurvigen).
Nu lukker sig mit oje
Gud fader i det hoje
I varetaegt mig tag
Grave: K 59
The Battalion War Diary simply reports: One man killed by sniper.
His attestation papers state that he had been a bank clerk with previous service in the Danish Royal Life Guards and was already a member of the Canadian Militia.
Captain James Roche MC
47th TMB Royal Field Artillery
Died on 7th June 1917 aged 29
Son of Stephen and Elsie Roche, of Monasterevan, Co Kildare. Native of Cahirciveen, Co. Kerry
An roisteac
Flaiteamail fearamah
Nar tug ariam eiteac
Grave: X 78
Private John McCullough Hunter L/16070
3rd Bn Royal Fusiliers
Died on 10th March 1915 aged 16
Son of James and Mary Hunter, of 77, Sussex Rd, Southall, Middlesex
Born at Motherwell
Grave: H 66
Private Stanley Stewart 6730
2nd Bn Royal Scots Fusiliers
Died on 29th August 1917 aged 21
Son of Sarah Stewart, of 12 Bentick St, Kilmarnock. Born at Liverpool.
Fondly remembered
By his sorrowing mother
Shot at dawn
Grave: G 66
Private James Smith 52929
17th Bn King's (Liverpool) Regiment
Died on 5th September 1917 aged 26
Son of James William and Elizabeth Smith, of 52, Noble St, Bolton
Shot at dawn
Grave: M 25
Mont Kemmel featured during heavy fighting in this area and there are a number of monuments and cemeteries in the area.
The hill itself is also a popular walking area and offers superb views over the surrounding countryside and the other Monts de Flandres.
The word Heuvelland which you will see in this area, is the local district and means - Hilly Land.
The French Monument on the summit